[originaltext] Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States

Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, was born in Kentucky in 1809, and died in Washington in 1865. He is comparable with Washington in greatness of contributions, but[29]is nearer the heart of all Americans because he rose from the ranks of the common people. Because his family were pioneers in the newly settled West, he had practically no regular education, but he was determined to pursue knowledge in every possible way. Stories are told of how he walked miles to get a book and how he studied by the light of the fire at night after a hard day at farm work. After a hard struggle as clerk, village postmaster, and surveyor, he succeeded in passing the examinations, and became a lawyer in Springfield, Illinois.
    In 1858, he might have gained his place in the United States Senate if he had not entered the famous debates against slavery with Stephen Douglas.[30]These debates spread his fame throughout the country and led the way for his election to the presidency in 1860. Very shortly after his election, certain Southern states broke away from the Unions, and the Civil War broke out. This strengthened Lincoln in his resolve to free the slaves and on January 1st, 1863, he declared the Emancipation Proclamation.[31]His second inaugural speech gave his plan for building up the peace of the nation, but he did not live to accomplish his desire.
29. Why is Lincoln considered to be near the heart of all Americans?
30. What gained a widespread reputation for Lincoln before the election in 1860?
31. What did Lincoln plan to do in his second term of presidency?